STEP 5: Training
Due to the use of digital platforms, which can generate eye fatigue, neck pain, among others, specific training is recommended for actors and actresses who will experiment with digital platforms. Exercises can be carried out such as:
In this step, the specific competences are:
As in the previous step, although it can be a collective activity, this personal skill is required for a better development of this step.
Always consider the contributions of the group.
This is a particularly important competence when it comes to managing the time needed for the execution of this step.
Digital training
For more clarity on this step, the following activity is suggested:
It will depend on the number of participants in the process, but all of them should participate in the Training.
- To prepare and activate body and voice for rehearsals.
- To prevent problems with overuse of digital platforms.
Minimum 10 minutes
Maximum 30 minutes
- Computer
- Internet connection
- Music (optional)
- Meeting platform with camera: Meet, Zoom, Whatsapp or other
- Ideally a clear space where people can move
Ask participants to set up the space, not necessarily a large space, but a clear space. If possible ask them to leave cameras and microphones active (unless some people refuse or are unable to)
Individual Space: 5 minutes
i) The facilitator gives the instruction to close the eyes and pay attention to the breathing, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Allow at least one minute for this step. You can guide the breathing process step by step, play the audio of a guided meditation or leave a few minutes in silence.
ii) With their eyes closed, ask participants to do a body scan, doing a mental scan where the guide names the different parts of the body and can ask the following questions:
How did I get to today’s rehearsal? Is any part of my body tense? What is my body temperature like? How is my breathing?
iii) Ask participants to open their eyes, fix their gaze on a point as far away from their chair as possible and hold it for a few seconds. Then look at the nearest point (other than the screen). Then, ask them to close their eyes, rest and repeat. This exercise is recommended to be done more than once, as it helps to combat eye fatigue caused by excessive screen use.
Activating Joints: 5 minutes
Go through the different joints of the body from head to toe, making circles in both directions.
- Neck (ask to open the jaw so as not to tense.)
- Shoulders to move
- Elbows
- Wrists-fingers (You can add a massage on hands and fingers.)
- Waist
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- Feet
Movement – Voice: 10 minutes
One participant is asked to start with a movement, while the group tries to imitate and follow, leaving them a few seconds or a minute to explore. Then the person should nominate another partner to continue the exercise until all members have passed.
Before starting the exercise, the participants are asked to pay attention as to explore at the following levels the movements they will be reproducing or showing:
- Levels of movement: high, medium, low.
- Speeds and rhythms.
Tip: During the exercise and especially as to adapt to the digital contest, you can ask participants to add the voice. This can be done by going through some vowels and consonants (A-O-M-S) or let them freely explore the sonorities along with the movements.Ask the group to consider exploring in:
- Voice projection (low, high,etc.)
- Tonalities: high-pitched, low-pitched,etc.
Remark: The use of music for this exercise is optional, it is recommended to select a song to the taste of the group, ideally active or going through a variety of rhythms.
Tip: In case several rehearsals are scheduled, a digital training is recommended before each rehearsal. That is, the facilitator can think of asking participants to share music they like/listen to in order to constitute the “soundtrack” of the training part of the rehearsals.
Gradually stop the exercise. You can ask the group some questions as to evaluate their state and impressions:
How is my body now in relation to the beginning?
Has anything changed in me?
- The training can be adapted according to the needs of the group and/or the objectives of each rehearsal. Link the training and connect for example with the creation of characters.
- These exercises can be done separately. They are ideal for the beginning of rehearsal sessions.
- Focus on the neck, shoulders, hands and eyes, as these are the parts of the body that are most prone to tension, due to the use of a computer or mobile phone.
Self-massage and exercises for eye fatigue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6XPaz9hhaw&ab_channel=FisioOnline
Boal, A. Games for actors and non-actors (2002), available in English here:
https://www.deepfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Games-for-actors-and-non-actors…Augusto-Boal.pdf
